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So last night I was chatting with someone and the question was brought up – you know how members of different fandoms have a name they go by? Like Star Trek fans have “Trekkies” and “Trekkers” (woe unto all who use the wrong one though…) and Doctor Who fans seem to go by “Whovians” and stuff like that? Well, what should EarthBound/MOTHER fans be called?

The first instinct might be to say “Starmen”, but I personally only associate that term with frequenters of Starmen.Net (or should I say StarMen.Net 😛 ). The name “MOTHERHEADS” was suggested, as I think it might be a new thing used in Mexico/Latin America, but I feel like there’s still something better out there.

151 Comments to What are EarthBound Fans?

On more serious suggestions though “motherbase” “mother load” “Boundians” or maybe “Motherbound”. Not that anyone else would use these, and some fans might even take exception to the use of either Mother or EB depending on whether they prefer ‘purity’ or the localized means.

We’re more likely to see starmen connections from outside sources, or associations with the zany bids for localization/releases, including hounding Reggie or threatening to blow up NoA.

EarthBounder is the most common one I’ve heard. I think using “earth” as a prefix generally works better than “mother.” Most English terms that incorporate the word “mother” come off as perverse or strange.

I think any term used should focus on the title, because I don’t think many people want to “belong” to a group with an obscure meaningless name, any more than unfamiliar readers want to be confused about what fandom is being discussed. (Naturally, if writing to a primarily unfamiliar audience, the first usage of the term should be accompanied by a definition.)

I would take slight offense to being called a Starman, as I’ve never been a part of that site’s community… or into astronomy. I don’t think a demonym should suggest support of any particular character or public figure either, because who’s to say that we all consider ourselves “Mr. Saturns” or “Itoi Heads”?

In general the only term that I like at all is “EarthBounders”, but the whole thing gets incredibly complicated based on the distinctions between EarthBound (one game, English) and Mother (whole series, Japanese and fan translations). I wouldn’t feel right referring to worldwide fans of the whole series as “EarthBounders”, or saying “Mother fans” if my group largely included people who only played EarthBound.

So I think we’re just stuck being overly specific, and describing which regions of players we’re referring to, and/or which exact games we refer to the fans of. At least in situations where specificity is important.

Which, taking Dave’s post into account, I guess would best apply only to English speaking fans. I’m sure the Japanese can come up with their own name for themselves, if they haven’t already.

LumiaSekai said on Mar. 15, 2012

I always used “EarthBounders” or “EarthBoundians” xD

Pepper said on Mar. 15, 2012

I’ve used “the cult” before but it would be nice to have a term that wasn’t creepy. I like the simplicity of “the Earthbound.” There’s not a whole lot you can do with the name Mother that doesn’t sound awful when taken out of context. 😛

Eaglelandians. Suggesting that because I haven’t seen anyone say it. I don’t actually recommend it for our fan base, but it sort of works for US fans/fans of EB. Everyone who played the game, played as Ness, who was from Eagleland. (And I don’t care if you named him something else; you were still Ness, OK?)

Being as serious as I can be, EarthBounders is definitely the best term for our English-speaking fanbase. While Motherheads gets my vote for the all-inclusive fanbase.

‘Bounders’ sounds like something out of Fallout. That said, I like it.

sew said on Mar. 15, 2012

itoi’s cult

slate_hazuki said on Mar. 15, 2012

I’ve always heard the term Bounders myself. I also like being called Starmen as I have a tattoo of one.

Anonymous said on Mar. 15, 2012

Woah, just 7 hours ago this had like 11 comments.

Anne Noise said on Mar. 15, 2012

Eaglenauts.

Anne Noise said on Mar. 15, 2012

Mothers of Ness.

Anne Noise said on Mar. 15, 2012

Itoi’s Army. (Oops, no, wrong fandom.)

Barbaloot said on Mar. 15, 2012

I like “The Motherload”

Spreading around internets… now.

Morjoko said on Mar. 15, 2012

I like the idea that we are Mother’s children or maybe earthbounders but my favorite Mother’s children.

Mel said on Mar. 15, 2012

I call us Earthboundians.
Earthbounders, and bounders are good names too.

Aiska said on Mar. 15, 2012

I feel “Bounders” is better than “Earthbounders” because it is not that long.

Starlight said on Mar. 15, 2012

Star stormers or EarthBounders or something Mr. Saturn related? ( the last two aren’t that creative.)

Ninten said on Mar. 15, 2012

Well i’m not much of a starmen.net goer, anymore ( except for walkthroughs), as i deiced i can’t waist my life on fourms, but i say either starmen, or bounders, maybe pk lovers( no!), how about “those rockin fans, with the weird rpg ( That guy with the glasses), perhaps ” the worlds most obsessive fanbase”?

I like Earthbounders. It reflects the title of the series in a way that suggests belonging to a fandom.

Or we could just go with “Mother Fans.” Maybe Nessies?

meorge said on Mar. 15, 2012

Eaglelanders? I don’t know

Jon said on Mar. 15, 2012

The “fuzzy pickles”?

DJMankiewicz said on Mar. 15, 2012

Eh, at this point I think we can agree that there’s not really a term for us. Lord of the Rings fans don’t really have a term for them either. In fact, outside of “Trekkies” I really can’t think of any nerd groups that have a name for themselves like that.

If it’s going to be something that has the title in it, I like Bounders – though I take the opposite position to Dave far above, I like fandom names that you have to know something about the scene to understand (Browncoats, Parrotheads, etc.)

Along those lines, Franklin Badgers?

ness286 said on Mar. 16, 2012

FanBound!

Anonymous said on Mar. 16, 2012

Earthmothers.

Or another word starting with “mother” that might get you banned from websites with stricter rules… but that’ll be worth it.

RandomGuardian said on Mar. 16, 2012

I use the term “Earthbounders” but I think I might have picked it up somewhere.

AtomicPK said on Mar. 17, 2012

Starmen or Franklin Badgers are cool terms, but I don’t think Franklin Badgers will catch on.

tintinophile691 said on Mar. 17, 2012

I tried asking that question at Starmen.net… and it ended with some rather embarrassing responses.

Radic said on Mar. 17, 2012

I think we should be called “Boobs” becauae we are so obbsesed with the game!

Felipe said on Mar. 17, 2012

I do like, Earthbros, which is in the first comments.

nesslucas120 said on Mar. 17, 2012

Nessters or Earthbounders?

Lillie Joe said on Mar. 17, 2012

I like Starmen, Earthbounder and Moonsider personnaly

Rhyselinn said on Mar. 17, 2012

I really like Fanbound, for some reason. It just has a nice ring to it, like something a Mr. Saturn would say. “Mr. saTuRn arE fAnbouNds. boIng!”

How about Moebs?
Mo for Mother.
eb for EarthBound.
It’s short and sweet, and most group names tend to be short and to the point. This group name covers both the Japanese and English titles in one, and I wouldn’t mind being called a Moeb.

Mister VII said on Mar. 18, 2012

EarthBounders

Or Mother kids

mrstaplez said on Mar. 18, 2012

The PK’s!

t-bone said on Mar. 18, 2012

the Saturns.
i don’t know, sounds kinda cool.

Ninten said on Mar. 18, 2012

Male:mr saturn. Female: mr Saturn that’s a girl

Krepta said on Mar. 19, 2012

Geeks. As in “The Geek”

I am a Fobby! said on Mar. 19, 2012

FOBBIES.

They’re borange, you know.

SmaMan said on Mar. 20, 2012

The MOTHERS of Invention! (okay too long, but I’ve been on a Frank Zappa kick)

Johnwalt said on Mar. 20, 2012

Psychic Psychos O.o

Lol but seriously… um IDK really.

I guess EarthBounders would work best

Ninten=ness said on Mar. 20, 2012

Mother motherists, or earthbound boundists? AFTER ALL someone made a cult site(do we need to look more obsessive?). Man the nintendo power article was right, earthbound will make you go paint a cow blue, which i need to do.

I’ve heard us referred to rather unkindly as motherf***ers… I’m a fan of Earthbounders/Momma’s Boys.

tapi said on Mar. 26, 2012

+1 for fobbies 😀

Du said on Mar. 27, 2012

Boundies

HYPNOSIS!!! said on Mar. 28, 2012

Happy-happyists

Jurassic Parker said on Mar. 29, 2012

Psiheads.

We are Ness, for we are Legion.

Ninten said on Mar. 29, 2012

I like the starmen thing. The newer fans are jr.s, the regular average Joe fans are starmen Starmen, artists are supers, important fans are ghosts, and the most important people are final starmen. Dx, um, more obsessive? I don’t know.

Anonymous said on Apr. 3, 2012

I like the Earthbound, it’s cool

Anonymous said on Apr. 4, 2012

I’ve always called us Earthboundera, but I really like everyone’s suggestions. Especially Happy Happyists. 😛

Anonymous said on Apr. 4, 2012

*Pfft, I mean Earthbounders. 😛

Anonymous said on Apr. 9, 2012

I’ve always just called us Earthbounders, or Bounders for short.

That rolls off the tongue nicely

Very Very Anonymous said on Apr. 9, 2012

Happy-Happiest!

Giygas999 said on Apr. 12, 2012

sorry if I’m bumping but
Earthboundians is a great name for earthbound fans

Piggymask said on Apr. 12, 2012

Boundies!

Lumanare said on Apr. 12, 2012

how about Motherbounders?

Hunniebee said on Apr. 13, 2012

I like DarioEMeloD’s suggestion, Motherbounders! It’s awesome and funny!

Zup said on Apr. 16, 2012

Boundlings?

GiegueFanboy said on Apr. 24, 2012

“People who don’t whine and actually get things done”. Or Earthbounders. smugface.

Amomynous said on Apr. 25, 2012

I propose we take a leaf from the Homestuck fandom and just call ourselves “MOTHERs” or “EarthBounds”. The former in particular will provide endless amusement.

Dan said on Apr. 27, 2012

Apple Kids.

Or Moonsidians.

Mayonaka said on Apr. 28, 2012

We are the Starmen.

Clockwork64 said on May. 6, 2012

How about Mr.Starbound
combonation of MR.Saturn,Starman,and Earthbound

Clockwork64 said on May. 6, 2012

or Mr.Runawaystarbound

MR.Saturn,Starman,Runaway 5,and Earthbound

tintinophile691 said on Jun. 1, 2012

In an early preview of EarthBound in Volume 73, 1994 of Nintendo Power:

“Many players report a sense of loss when they are unplugged. ‘My best friends were all in there,’ says one recovering Bounder.”